Neosho's Big Spring Park

Big Spring Park is nestled in the heart of downtown Neosho and overflows with natural beauty. From under the rocky bluff flow the clear waters of the Big Spring that gave Neosho its origins. Generations of Neosho children have splashed away their summer in the wading pool. Visitors to the park have been entertained by the ducks that call the park home as they swim in the spring, join community events, and waddle across the grounds. Every spring the park blooms in an abundance of flowers and in the dark of winter bright and colorful twinkle lights welcome the holiday season to town.  

Big Spring Park’s history starts well before it was established as a city park.

The first European settlers arrived in the area in the 1830’s, attracted by rich soil and clear water.

The small community of Neosho was founded near the Big Spring (which still flows today through Big Spring Park) in 1839.  It was from an initial survey point on the west edge of the Big Spring’s branch waters, that in 1846 they laid out the main streets that would become the town of Neosho.

One of the first industries in Neosho, a tannery established by German immigrant Benjamin Haas in 1858, was located close to the Big Spring’s banks on what is now the north (of Spring Street) side Big Spring Park.

Above: The Haas tannery, in a dilapidated state, photo taken June 28, 1876

Above two photos showing Big Spring running under West Spring Street

By 1882 the land by Big Spring was purchased by Ed Clark. He built a wagon factory on the site using the water to power machinery. Neosho’s City Council appointed a committee for public parks in 1894 when the needs for a public gathering space increased. But it would be another six years before Mayor Charles Prettyman recommended the property be purchased for a park. Then in 1903 the Neosho Commercial Club committee’s report was considered and the decision to finally buy the land was made. A year later on June 9 the first Strawberry Festival was held to celebrate the record breaking crop. The Strawberry Queen crowning was held in the new city park. The final payments for the land were made in 1907.

The City developed the park using the natural setting. Native stone was used to construct a grotto over the spring. Wooden steps were built down to the stream and promenades were constructed above. A drive curved along the hill around Central School grounds and a rustic bandstand was built (near where the wading pool is today). A drive was chatted down the center of the park.

Above is the rustic bandstand and to it's right is the wood steps at the spring.

Above is the grotto over the spring with its promenade and wooden steps.

Soon Big Spring Park was a gathering place for a variety of city events. In the 1920’s club meetings, political rallies, weddings, dinners, and more were being held in the park. The first Easter Sunrise service was held in the park in 1924.

A May Fete was held annually in Big Spring Park between 1915 and late 1950's with folk dancing and children taking part in May Pole Dancing. The event was suspended during the Second World War.

Above photo shows May Pole Dancing during a May Fete circa 1950's.

In 1927 Spring Street, which runs in front of the park, was widened. A rock bridge was built over the water falls and the spring divided creating a small island. This is one of the most recognized features of the park.

Above photos shows the newly constructed bridge over the waterfall and the divided stream and island in 1927.

More additions to the park came in 1928. There was the planting of trees, shrubs, plants, and vines by the Children’s Community Chorus and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Funds were raised and the Grecian theatre (stage) was added. Finally, Frank H. Reed, an oilman and philanthropist, funded the building of the children's wading pool complete with dressing rooms in a Grecian theme with Doric columns. Ed and Charles Haas funded the sidewalk from Spring Street to the wading pool in 1931.

Above is an early photo of the Grecian stage.

Above two photos: A Girl Scout Fly In Ceremony takes place on the Grecian stage in the mid 1960's.

Above two photos show the wadding pool in Big Spring Park.

During the Second World War the park was a gathering place for soldier’s stationed at Camp Crowder to meet with family that had traveled to Neosho.

In the Last Will and Testament of J.W. Abbott was a provision which left money and property to the City of Neosho in 1944. "To create a fund to be known as the Abbott Brothers Big Spring Park Fund; the rents, interest, income and profits arising therefrom to be applied to be used as follows: (it lists such items as upkeep on the real estate and payment of any necessary taxes)...the balance of said rents, interest, income and profits to be applied to and used in improving the Big Spring Park in the City of Neosho, Missouri" The assets of the trust included a building in Neosho, a quarter section of land in Cimmarron County, OK, and cash. A marker honoring J.W. Abbott and his brother is now located in the park.

Above photo shows the bridge over the waterfall where a woman and a man in uniform stand watching the rushing waters of Big Spring.

Above photo shows a group enjoying the park during the 1940's. The wadding pool and Grecian stage visible in the background.

Above: Big Spring Park's entrance during the 1950's.

In 1964 the Safeway Grocery store, which was located on the north side of Spring Street, held a contest for a mural to be placed on the buildings wall facing Big Spring Park. In May of 1965 the colorful mosaic tiles of the Neosho Mural by Lawrence Sanchez were installed and unveiled to the public. The mural remains to this day.

The above black and white photo shows the Neosho Mural shortly after it was installed in 1965. The second photo is the mural in 2023.

The large floral clock at the entrance to the park was installed in 1967 thanks to the Flower Box Committee. The first planting of flowers at the clock had over 3,000 plants.

The above two photos show the clock at the entrance to Big Spring Park which was installed in 1967 and was mostly recently refurbished in the spring of 2020.

In 1890 David Mendell added a two story addition to his home near Big Spring and opened a hotel and in 1900 a restaurant known as Mendell House. Three years later the property sold to S.L. Davis. In 1904 Davis purchased the property on the north side of Spring Street and moved the hotel to that location. By 1906 the hotel’s name was officially changed to Big Spring Inn. They were known for their trout dinners.

On November 14, 1966 the inn burned and was not rebuilt. In October of 1973 the City of Neosho purchased the property and plans started to form to expand the Big Spring Park to the north of Spring Street.

Above is an early image of the Big Spring Inn on the north side of Spring Street.

Above: The Big Spring Inn with it's trout pond.

Above: The Big Spring Inn circa 1940's. To the far left the roof of the home belonging to the inn owners is visible.

Above: The former site of the Big Spring Inn was turned into the north side of Big Spring Park, photo taken in 1983.

Big Spring Park continues to be a place for public gathering, concerts, and summer fun. Kids and adults alike enjoy watching the rainbow trout swimming in their pond on the north side of the park. Traffic stops to allow the ducks that call Big Spring Park home to waddle across Spring Street. And in winter the park is lite up annually with bright Christmas lights. Their lighting is the official start of the holiday season in Neosho.

Above: Ducks in Big Spring Park stop to listen and enjoy a cello concert being held in 2019.

Above: This stone house was the home of the Big Spring Inn's owners. Later it served as the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce.

Above: The artificial waterfall on the bluff face was installed in 2021.

Above: The footbridge and island as it appeared in the mid 1990's.